Bobby Olivero, car owner Ralph Wilke, and crew celebrate Olivero’s
victory in the Tony Bettenhausen 100-miler at the Illinois State
Fairgrounds. – Mike Dunn Photo
Springfield, Ill. (August 14, 1982) – Bobby Olivero opted to miss a real estate business meeting on the west coast to participate in the Tony Bettenhausen 100-mile Silver Crown event at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Saturday afternoon.
And the bearded Lakewood, Calif., tycoon made the decision pay off handsomely as he drove to the event’s $8,000 first prize.
Olivero stormed from his 12th place starting berth in the 26-car field to post the win at an average speed of 97.976 miles per hour.
Sheldon Kinser set a new track record in qualifying with a speed of 110.943 miles per hour. He used his pole starting berth to grab the lead immediately and maintained it through lap 37.
Meanwhile. Olivero was up to seventh by the 10-mile mark, and third 10 circuits later. He advanced to second place by passing Joe Saldana on lap 22.
Olivero finally got around Kinser for the top spot on lap 38 and led the rest of the way for the triumph.
Olivero’s major concern during the battle was the wear and tear of the tires, especially a worn right front, which he nursed for the bulk of the contest.
Saldana finished second, four second behind the winner. Kinser held on for third, Mark Alderson drove a consistent race to finish fourth, and Ron Shuman came in fifth to annex the Silver Crown point lead by a single point, over Ken Schrader, who finished eighth.
Results –
1. Bobby Olivero
2. Joe Saldana
3. Sheldon Kinser
4. Mark Alderson
5. Ron Shuman
6. Larry Rice
7. Rick Hood
8. Ken Schrader
9. Bill Engelhart
10.Walt Kennedy
11.Mike Peters
12.Dana Carter
13.Ronnie Burke
14.Doug Wolfgang
15.Arnie Knepper
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